Office of Marketing and Communications

IU Northwest honors retiring employee Ella Magee

Magee’s work ethic, dedication to her job and friendship lauded by friends and coworkers

Christopher Sheid/IU Northwest Office of Marketing and Communications

Retiree Ella Magee receives a gift from Chancellor William Lowe for her many years of service to the university.

After nearly 22 years, or an estimated 5,500 weekdays, IU Northwest employee Ella Magee will retire from her position within Physical Plant on Friday, Dec. 17.

Staff, faculty and university leaders convened Wednesday, Dec. 1, to recognize, honor and reflect on the achievements, influence and career highlights Magee enjoyed at the university during her career.

Chancellor William Lowe opened the celebratory event, his first since joining the university, by noting that Magee was one of the very first people he met when starting at IU Northwest last July.

“Ella gets up even earlier than I do,” Lowe said jokingly. “And, when I come into the office, which is often very early, Ella is always there. And it’s not only that she’s there, but she is always working very hard and I know this because she takes care of the Chancellor’s Suite and makes sure it is in shipshape (condition) when I arrive.

“But there’s something else that she contributes besides her good work, and the pride she clearly takes, and that is her very cheerful ‘Good Morning’ that I always hear from her in the morning,” the Chancellor added.

Many retirement reception attendees echoed Chancellor Lowe’s reflections, as both current and former colleagues came forward to provide personal memories of the honoree.

Reverend Dwight Gardner, pastor of Trinity Baptist Church in Gary and a former IU Northwest employee, was one of those who recognized Magee for a job well done.

Gardner opened by reading a poem that he called a true reflection of Magee and the way in which she conducted her job on a daily basis. “When a job is first begun, never leave it 'til it's done. Be your labor great or small, do it well or not at all.”

“That is a description of the way Ella Magee did her job,” Gardner said. “(While working at IU Northwest) I was blessed to manage the building services department and a great part of that blessing was having Ella work for me.”

Gardner explained the correlation between the Roman God Janus, who was said to be the keeper of the gods’ treasure, and that of Magee.

“I have come to understand education is a treasure,” Gardner said. “And, IU Northwest is a treasure, and the front door of this treasure is the Library Conference Center (and home to the Chancellor’s Suite). This building is where people, from all walks of life, pass through these doors and get an impression of what IU Northwest is like.

“And when I needed a Janus, someone who would take care of the treasure of learning at its front door, the Lord sent me Ella Magee.”

Friendship was also a common theme throughout many of the testimonials provided.

“You have made many friends over the years,” Roger Thomas, custodial crew leader at IU Northwest, said. “But, I was not a friend. I was a fan.”

Magee appeared overcome with the outpouring of support and friendship. Rather than make a speech, she simply stated to those in attendance: “I just want to thank everybody for coming out.”

Magee’s husband, Charles, and their daughter, Mary Taylor, attended the retirement celebration. Magee looks forward to spending more time with her family, traveling and scrapbooking once entering retirement.